Hannes Wettstein (b. 1958), Switzerland.

Hannes Wettstein Biography:

Hannes Wetstein (1958-2008) was a multidisciplinary Swiss industrial designer. Born in Ascona, he was the first of a new generation of designers who revitalized Swiss design during the 1980s. He began his career in 1982, working freelance then went on to found the Eclat Design Agency. One of his most successful early designs was the Juliette chair for Baleri Italia. He created products and installations for leading manufacturers such as Cassina, UMS Pastoe, Shimano and Artemide. His most important interior design projects include the Swiss embassy in Washington, the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Berlin and the Prime Tower in Zurich.

Hannes Wettstein Design:

Hannes Wettstein was one of the most innovative and influential designers of Switzerland. Hannes Wettstein was one of the most innovative and influential designers in Switzerland. His background alone did not follow a standard pattern: born in 1958, Wettstein completed an apprenticeship as a structural engineering draughtsman and then trained himself as a designer and architect. He was fascinated by technological developments as well as art history and architecture; and somewhat alchemical and ingenious, his unique way of developing ideas never disappeared. In his own words, he questioned all norms, social, industrial, cultural and ritual, in order to discover something new. This absoluteness was not an attitude but a methodology. His willingness to always rethink everything determined by design - everyday actions, organization of rooms, the purpose of things - led him to create surprisingly simple solutions that outlasted time. Technology transfer from design-resistant fields, years of scientific work on an idea or a material and a fine sense of brand quality - Hannes Wettstein shaped a world in which he sought to comprehend the essence of things that surrounded him. Pure, unspectacular, functional design was the stamp of his lights and furniture. Again and again he returned to sleek forms and classic modern lines. These suited his vision of the world and society in that, even before his time, he knew that only self-evident design can be endurable. Hannes Wettstein designed elegant and perfect objects for daily use that maintained their identity and remained timeless even in the changing flow of fashion. Also in room design he created archetypes: complete and sensitive solutions for specific locations, interior fittings or set designs. The comprehensive way in which he helped designed the world lives on today in the company he founded in 1991, Studio Hannes Wettstein. Hannes Wettstein got his start thanks to Philippe Starck who told Wettstein to call Enrico Baleri. "He'll listen to you," you can almost hear Starck urging. Baleri tells the story that he gave the young Swiss designer 24 hours to come to him with designs in hand. And show up he did, bringing thousands of ideas and sketches that reflected the working mind of a born designer and interior architect.
Very often a designer will show promise with a first design, but will usually follow with designs that are fashionable and trendy rather than solidly unique. This is not the case with Hannes Wettstein. His clarity and functionalism are his strongest points. He is truly a schooled designer who takes a rational approach with everything he does.
For Wettstein, it was the sleek and beautiful chair, "Juliette," now a Baleri classic, that demonstrated his talent. His latest design for Pallucco, "Speedster," stands out among the many armchair designs for its unique accessories for several Swiss companies. Clocks, watches, glasses, lamps, rugs and hardware have tempted his creativity as well. As an interior architect his projects in Switzerland and abroad include fashion and furniture showrooms, public spaces, bars and offices.
Wettstein is also known for his contribution to the watch company Ventura. Working in nitrogen-hardened titanium, Wettstein's Ventura collection includes timepieces that look deceptively simple, although their design, engineering and performance are quite sophisticated.

Hannes Wettstein Furniture and Lighting:

Studio Hannes Wettstein creates, develops and realizes furniture, everyday objects and interior rooms for local and international clients. The area most associated with Hannes Wettstein is without doubt furniture and product design. For many years the studio has produced objects of every type for renowned companies. From sofas to lights. From bicycles to watches – there is no function that cannot be given its matching form. However the agency made its name in the area of interior design. In recent years many noteworthy hotel interiors, office rooms, retail concepts, TV studios, living rooms and productions have been developed.
The centerpoint of the studio's work is to understand the essence and context of a product, a room or a piece of furniture and to use the right materials to find a suitable form. The products are therefore developed with close attention being paid to the client's existing brand culture in order to strengthen or even stamp the company's identity.